Category: Wrecking

Many people choose to forego having some type of roadside assistance program. Even if their car insurance has it as an added service, they still choose to not have it, thinking it’s going to cost them some huge amount of money.

As someone in the driver’s seat, I honestly cannot stress enough having roadside assistance. I know what guys like me charge for simple stuff like jumping your battery or unlocking your door. For what it cost to have me come out and help you, you would pay that for a set period of time where you get several assistance calls. That to me is worth it.

Say your roadside assistance is an added $80 for a ten month period. You may very well be paying that each time I help you. So in a four month time span, if you lock your keys in your car, run over a nail, and have a dead battery, you’re paying triple that; and there would still be six months to go if your insurance was covering you.

Even if you’re a very responsible person, stuff happens. And stuff usually happens when other stuff is already happening. So just like with having health insurance or life insurance, this is “stuff insurance”.

Even if you know how to swap out a tire, do you really want to get out while cars are zipping past you at 70 MPH as you’re trying to do it? Is your life really not worth an extra $80? I don’t care if you’re a NASCAR pit crew member or a total amateur; having to swap tires on a highway is hairy business.

I own my own towing company, and I have roadside assistance. It’s just an inexpensive way to keep yourself safe. Just be sure you know what exactly your roadside assistance covers, as well as any hidden fees; otherwise, you’re just as good to pay it out of pocket each time.

Choosing a towing company to work for is similar to looking for any other type of work, and it’s also a little different. The best comparison I can find for the industry is restaurant service. And I know that seems like an odd comparison to draw, but both industries require specialized services, odd/long hours, and really depends on the establishment you’ve signed on for.

Some kitchen staff absolutely love the restaurant they service; others would just as soon burn it down. In the same way, you’ll find a similar experience in towing. Some towing companies will feel like your second family, and then others will make you want to not bring the truck back.

Like with any field, it’s best to do a little homework before signing your life away with them. Glassdoor is a great website to checkout, especially if the company is a national chain. If it has franchisees, obviously each location is going to be different and with its own quirks. But other mom and pop towing companies can be a real pain to work for, and not even offer a ton of payment.

If you’re just starting out, the best thing to do is find yourself a locally owned and operated smaller company to build up some experience, and then try to find a different company or make the case for more payment. Experience is everything in our field, and if you don’t have it, you won’t be paid more for it.

Of course, like anything, if you can start your own towing company and work most of it yourself, that’s where the money is. It’s always where you’re going to be spending almost all of your time, and starting your own business has a slew of challenges involved. It’s all things to consider before going forward with your towing career.